Neglected Pup

[FeatherLace]

So I have three dogs of my own, and my neighbor has four dogs. Three of their dogs they've had for a while, and take "decently" good care of them, if you count refusing to get them on any kind of preventative or teach them any discipline and just give them treats and table scraps while letting them do whatever they want as "care". However, they don't actually count as neglected so I can't get them surrendered. About 7 months ago, someone dumped another little puppy at their doorstep, and since they had the bigger house they were the ones who kept her. Fast forward, about 6 months later, we noticed the pup (now rather large) is not being let inside, not being fed, not being taken to the vet even though she is an unspayed female, etc. They wouldn't even bathe her, ignoring the raging flea infestation they have. So just about two weeks ago we started feeding her, bought her a flea collar, bathed her, and gave her a bed to sleep inside. She acted like she hadn't been given anything before. It took an entire TWO WEEKS for the neighbor to text and ask "Have you seen Bear?"
So after telling the owners how she needs a vet appointment to get spayed, etc, they told us they'd "get around to it" and every time I reminded them they'd miraculously forget. This situation has happened before and ended badly. So I got fed up with it since she's such a sweet smart dog, and I made her a vet appointment. Have you, they have much more money than we do, so that's not the issue. Its simply laziness. Its only $168 for the whole package. I bought her a collar, made the appointment (June 9th) and had the vet put her under my name. Personally, I feel the original owners have no right to claim her, given that all of the money and effort put into her has been mine. The owner almost definitely has no attachment to her, as the last time this happened the extreme lack of discipline led to the dog and her then 6 rampaging pups attacking and killing my entire pygmy goat herd except for one, so I told her to get rid of the pups (which she did), but when she didn't get rid of the mamma dog she told me, and I quote, "Just shoot her, one less mouth to feed. I don't want any more puppies anyways."

I wanna know what you guys would've done in this situation, or if you have experienced anything similar? And if you think its wrong for me to claim her as my own?

If anyone wants I can post pictures of her

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You got the dog her rabies shot and had her put in your name, right? So you actually have tags and everything, showing ownership? My guess is that'll protect you and the dog both in case there's an ownership dispute. I'd hate to see you spend all this on the dog and then have these people try to claim her. Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Pics would be great!

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So I have three dogs of my own, and my neighbor has four dogs. Three of their dogs they've had for a while, and take "decently" good care of them, if you count refusing to get them on any kind of preventative or teach them any discipline and just give them treats and table scraps while letting them do whatever they want as "care". However, they don't actually count as neglected so I can't get them surrendered. About 7 months ago, someone dumped another little puppy at their doorstep, and since they had the bigger house they were the ones who kept her. Fast forward, about 6 months later, we noticed the pup (now rather large) is not being let inside, not being fed, not being taken to the vet even though she is an unspayed female, etc. They wouldn't even bathe her, ignoring the raging flea infestation they have. So just about two weeks ago we started feeding her, bought her a flea collar, bathed her, and gave her a bed to sleep inside. She acted like she hadn't been given anything before. It took an entire TWO WEEKS for the neighbor to text and ask "Have you seen Bear?"
So after telling the owners how she needs a vet appointment to get spayed, etc, they told us they'd "get around to it" and every time I reminded them they'd miraculously forget. This situation has happened before and ended badly. So I got fed up with it since she's such a sweet smart dog, and I made her a vet appointment. Have you, they have much more money than we do, so that's not the issue. Its simply laziness. Its only $168 for the whole package. I bought her a collar, made the appointment (June 9th) and had the vet put her under my name. Personally, I feel the original owners have no right to claim her, given that all of the money and effort put into her has been mine. The owner almost definitely has no attachment to her, as the last time this happened the extreme lack of discipline led to the dog and her then 6 rampaging pups attacking and killing my entire pygmy goat herd except for one, so I told her to get rid of the pups (which she did), but when she didn't get rid of the mamma dog she told me, and I quote, "Just shoot her, one less mouth to feed. I don't want any more puppies anyways."

I wanna know what you guys would've done in this situation, or if you have experienced anything similar? And if you think its wrong for me to claim her as my own?

If anyone wants I can post pictures of her

Sad story. I had something similar happen to me with my next-door neighbors and I regret not doing anything. When I did say something to them it seem like they started to treat the dogs even worse. I wish I would have just taken them and brought them to the animal shelter where they would have been cared for. It’s really hard when you live right next-door to the people, I feel for you and a dog. I just don’t know why those people next-door were that way because they have three children and you would think being a family that they would be more compassionate

 

[FeatherLace]

You got the dog her rabies shot and had her put in your name, right? So you actually have tags and everything, showing ownership? My guess is that'll protect you and the dog both in case there's an ownership dispute. I'd hate to see you spend all this on the dog and then have these people try to claim her. Good luck!

Shes getting fixed with all of her shots in my name on the 9th, so yeah the tag and vet papers will be in my name. That woman has never taken her dogs to the vet in her life! Her dogs that she "loves so much" will get so bad with blood and rough patches just crawling with fleas that we periodically give them cattle strength flea dips to help them! I even have to give them their regular baths afterwards to wash off the chemical because their owners are too lazy to even give them a rinse

 

[FeatherLace]

Sad story. I had something similar happen to me with my next-door neighbors and I regret not doing anything. When I did say something to them it seem like they started to treat the dogs even worse. I wish I would have just taken them and brought them to the animal shelter where they would have been cared for. It’s really hard when you live right next-door to the people, I feel for you and a dog. I just don’t know why those people next-door were that way because they have three children and you would think being a family that they would be more compassionate

My neighbor is a single mom with two kids, their dad always treated their animals bad and the mom didn't care, now that they're divorced the mom still doesn't care and what's worse the son is acting just like his dad. Always saying things like "I'll kick that dog if he doesn't shut up". Once he kicked Bear away from him and I said "Hey! She didn't deserve that!" and he said to me "All that dog deserves is a bullet to the head." And laughed about it!!! And I know its all because he learned from his dad. Some parents really need to teach some compassion. Makes me furious

 

[FeatherLace]

So I have determined she is basically impossible to take a picture of, she is a pup after all. Lol here's what I got, including a picture of her not noticing her tail is in the water bowl and sneaking onto the outdoor table before we cleaned the porch, which is how we found out she wasn't being fed because she was always snatching the cats food.

 

[FeatherLace]

Random update: I had to go over to the neighbors house about an hour ago, and when I left she called in her three dogs but didn't say Bear's name, so I turned to leave and said "Come on Bear, let's go home." And walked off with the dog happily following, and didn't hear a word or a sound from the neighbors. They just shut their door.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Random update: I had to go over to the neighbors house about an hour ago, and when I left she called in her three dogs but didn't say Bear's name, so I turned to leave and said "Come on Bear, let's go home." And walked off with the dog happily following, and didn't hear a word or a sound from the neighbors. They just shut their door.

Sounds like she's yours by default. Thing is, they'll probably just get another one. But boy, she sure is a cutie! You done good!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Just saw this thread and I love a happy ending before bed! Congrats to you and definitely to her!